History:
The idea started 13 years ago, when it was noted that around Christmas and New Year, the ships were sort of “lost”. Some decided to meet up in some port, but most ships were just scattered around the Canary Islands and always the complaint was heard from crew members and trainees that Christmas was not what they expected, rather dull.
So, in 1996 the first “Christmas Encounter of Tall ships” took place in La Palma and turned out to be an enormous success. And this year, 2008, we shall be celebrating the 13th “Encounter”. See our programme.
The organiser, Conny Spelbrink of Active Connect, S.L. has the support and collaboration of local authorities and sponsors and invites all tall and small sailing vessels to come and celebrate several days of fun, games, dancing and sampling of local atmosphere on the subtropical island of La Palma. The island is by now well known to the trainees and sailors of the Tall Ships, who have been frequenting this port for over 20 years, attracted by the natural beauty of La Palma, the great excursions and food, and the organisational skills of Active Connect S.L. as their representative, to make their stay memorable.
An extensive programme for the Tall Ships Christmas Encounter is worked out, sometimes with a race between La Palma and La Gomera. Usually the Fiesta continues on La Gomera Island and the port authorities of Tenerife tend to invite the Tall Ships to spend New Years Eve in the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where a good celebration and extensive fireworks are laid on.
|
